Change is the operative word at Rutgers, as Chris Ash continues to put his stamp on the program after taking over for Kyle Flood. [ MORE: Get all of Tom Dienhart’s Big Ten spring football coverage ] Ash has work to do after arriving from a gig as defensive coordinator at Ohio State. Good thing his area of specialty is defense, as the Scarlet Knights need a lot of help on that side of the ball. Rutgers ranked No. 13 in the Big Ten in total defense in 2015 (462.0 ypg) and 12th in scoring (34.9 ppg). The back seven

Athlon ranked the top 25 football players in the Big Ten - can you guess who is No. 1? Also, Jim Harbaugh got some more attention on Twitter. One writer says Minnesota made a mistake keeping Jerry Kill involved in the program. These stories and more in Friday Big Ten news digest.

For Purdue this spring, BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart will be watching three areas for the Boilermakers: Quarterback, offensive line, and defensive line. And there is work to do in all three areas.

There is a report that Wisconsin is preparing an offer to Greg Gard for the full-time job. Did you see the Ivy League has removed hitting from football practice? And it looks like Michigan has a new position for Big Ten Freshman of the Year Jabril Peppers. Get caught up on Thursday links in today's news digest.

Change is the theme as James Franklin begins this third season at the helm of Penn State. [ MORE: Get all of Tom Dienhart’s Big Ten spring football coverage ] The staff has been altered radically. Franklin fired offensive coordinator John Donovan and shockingly saw defensive coordinator Bob Shoop leave for Tennessee. And offensive line coach Herb Hand also high-tailed it, bolting for Auburn. Plus, a raft of players transferred after a season that ended with four losses in a row. Is this a cause for alarm? No matter your spin, there is no denying that 2016 is a big

Saquon Barkley is a beast, on and off the field. The Penn State running back dropped plenty of jaws during his true freshman season, racking up 1,237 total yards and eight touchdowns in 11 games. On Tuesday, Barkley wowed football fans, and people all over social media, with a weight room video of him power-cleaning 390 pounds (!). Keep in mind, Barkley weighs 222 pounds. With strength like this, coupled with his elite speed, agility and athleticism, it’s no wonder Barkley is such a dangerous weapon every time he touches the ball. Enjoy the video above. Whatever you do, though,

When he isn’t climbing trees on the recruiting trail, sitting ringside at WWE Monday Night Raw or holding spring practice in Florida, Jim Harbaugh is coaching in MLB spring training games. [ MORE: Like this post? Check out our full Gone Viral section ] The Big Ten’s unofficial busiest coach served as the first base coach for the Detroit Tigers in their game vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday afternoon. Harbaugh, of course, donned No. 4, the same number he wore at Michigan and in the NFL. This isn’t completely new for Harbaugh, who did the same for the Oakland

Urban Meyer has lived a charmed life since taking over Ohio State in 2012, posting a 50-4 overall record and a 31-1 Big Ten mark. His crowning feat was winning the 2014 national championship, and last year’s team looked poised to repeat before a late-season stumble at home vs. Michigan State. [ MORE: Get all of Tom Dienhart’s Big Ten spring football coverage ] Now, Meyer faces some big challenges next season. Yes, he will have some building blocks for his fifth squad, but questions loom. A big one: Who will be the running back with Ezekiel Elliott gone? Bri’onte

Michigan State is two games behind first-place Indiana in men's hoops, but are they best team in the nation? Bronson Koenig's shooting is sparking Wisconsin. Spring football drills have begun at more schools. And we've got five pretty strong #BTNStandout plays from the last week in the video above, too. Dive in, read and watch, and get caught up.

Jim Harbaugh basked in the sun Monday, spending six hours on the practice field with his Michigan Wolverines. Back home in Ann Arbor, Michigan, it was cloudy and gray, temperatures were in the 40s and the locals were preparing for snow.